Hey, Bookworms!

We’re sure to offer a wonderful selection of books for all the summer camp kids who absolutely love to read. We have our ‘Great Titles’ section which includes a couple books under the ‘Vampire Academy’ series. And it also has a couple kids' books about camp by Elliot Sloyer. We also offer a slew of titles from the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ collection. And—who could forget—we have the essential summer camp collection, the ‘Camp Confidential’ series.

We have every one of the 26 installments in Ms. Melissa J. Morgan’s campy series! These books tell of the misadventures and secrets that the lovable girls attending Camp Lakeview and, eventually, Camp Walla Walla. How is it that Ms. Morgan has been able to capture such a charming and accurate depiction of summer camp life?

Well, it all started at summer camp!

Melissa J. Morgan had her first year at overnight camp when she was eight years old. She loved summer camp so much that she didn’t stop attending until she got her first job after grad school and they refused her request for eight weeks off in the summer. She decided to use her years of treasured experience at summer camp to launch her career as a full-time author. Melissa lives in New York with her husband and Bugle, their Chocolate Lab.

You’ll struggle to put these books down as you learn more about these lovable characters and turn page after page of plot twists, setbacks, and hilarious moments. Discover who your favorite character is, which camp you’d rather go to, and if Natalie can make things work with Simon.

Get yourself into the summer camp spirit and stay entertained for days as you delve into these great summer camp paperbacks! Peruse the series by clicking here and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We were elated with all the great submissions we got about the experience our camp families underwent this last summer! We saw more than 30 submissions for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest that we had at Everything Summer Camp and we’re still posting each of your entries on the Blog! After our seven lucky winners who got larger prizes, all other entrants received a $15 gift certificate to our online store! And today’s post is from Andrea C., who wrote in to tell us about her son’s rookie year at Falling Creek Camp.

“My son went to camp for the first time this summer. As a new nine-year-old (his birthday was the first day of camp), he was ready for his new adventure. He had a few friends from home at camp with him but was really looking forward to meeting new friends.

On Day One, he literally threw his bag onto his bunk, shouted “Bye Mom!” and was running off with boys to play games. There were no tearful goodbyes, no send off with positive words, no reminding him of the videos and shows he had watched about camp, and no goodbye kiss to Mom (I did make him come back and accomplish that!). He seemed ready. His father and I looked at each other and shrugged. We proceeded to walk back to the car to head out. First impressions? Camp was going to be a good fit.

As the week went on, I anxiously read the daily blog and looked for him in the photos. I missed him, of course, but knew that he was having fun. Before I knew it, it was time to pick him up. Had he been homesick? Will he want to go back? Was I more excited about his camp experience than he was?

There was no need for me to worry. Pickup day was pouring down rain. I had planned to have him show me around, take some photos, and hear all about his week. Instead, we waded through mud and water and loaded the van with a trunk full of wet, stinky, gear. He didn’t even notice the rain or the mud. I had an umbrella but he was just walking in the rain, not noticing it. It seemed that after spending a week in the rain, playing, camping, and having a good time, he realized that it is just part of nature. He seemed to have a sense of confidence that it was just a little water. He talked non-stop about his week, his friends, who was homesick, and who was the best at whatever activity. Whew…..

Camp was great for my son. He is looking forward to going to a longer session next summer. He is already starting to think about activities and trips he wants to do. The confidence and independence he gained in such a short period was notable. Boys get very few opportunities in today’s society to be independent and make their own decisions. Camp is such a place. I cannot wait to see how he comes home next summer. I guess I am now a CAMP MOM!”

Congratulations, Andrea (a.k.a. Camp Mom)! We’re so happy that your son’s first year was so easy yet influential! Summer camp certainly is a powerful experience for those who attend it. We hope to hear back from you on how Year Number Two goes! For the rest of you, check out Falling Creek Camp for Boys to see if it might be a good match for your son. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

Entering into the new year means we have a fresh set of summer camps from around the country who deserve our praises. It’s our pleasure here at Everything Summer Camp to spread the word about some of the fantastic places where you might just end up sending your summer camper this for camp this year. Let’s swing our spotlight over to Western North Carolina where we’ll find Green River Preserve!

Set on 3,400 acres of a beautiful wildlife Preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Green River Preserve is a summer camp where kids are encouraged to discover a deeper understanding of themselves, their environment, and their communities.

Green River Preserve presents young people activities and skill sets such as Yoga, Woodburning, Theater, Tae Kwon Do, Pottery, Arts and Crafts, Outdoor Skills, Mountain Biking, Ropes Course, Knitting, Fly Fishing, Field Games, Fencing, Music, Drawing and Painting, Dance, Creative Writing, Climbing Tower, Canoeing, BB Skeet, Archery, and more.

The campgrounds provide open fields alongside freshwater springs, vast forested areas, a fishing pond, swimming hole, multiple waterfalls, and the headwaters of the Green River. And the gorgeous natural elements are met with complimentary facilities like the main lodge and dining hall, the infirmary, a craft hut, cordwood cottage, and the staff lodge.

Green River Preserve also boasts two spring-fed ponds, large playing fields, a stream-side pavilion, organic gardens, an apple orchard, as well as a climbing tower built custom for the camp.

The cabins are tucked a bit into the woods where campers live in groups of up to six along with their respective counselors. The campers sleep on bunk beds. Each cabin is a set of two living groups that are joined by a central bathroom.

If you think it might be a good fit for you, you can check out Green River Preserve for your own upcoming camp experience in the next camp season by clicking here. Enjoy putting your summer plans together and, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Summer Camp Families!

We’re very excited to announce that we are holding the Everything Summer Camp ‘Top 16 Items of 2017’ Facebook Giveaway. Starting next week on Monday (January 8^th), this contest invites our summer camp families to visit us on Facebook to like and share our post. Lasting more than two full weeks, this contest ends on Tuesday, January 23.

Here’s how it works: When you like a post and share it, you are then entered into our Facebook Giveaway. If you are a winner, you will receive a notification. If you’re the first person who gets notified, you get to pick your prize from the list of products below; all subsequent winners will get to pick their prize from the remaining products.

Here’s the list of our TOP 16 of 2017 items:

• Happy Camper Trunk
• Wheel Away System
• LidMate Organizer
• Pop Up Soft Trunk
• Undergrad Trunk
• Quick Dry Shower Caddy
• Clothing Name Labels
• Nylon Laundry Bag
• Clothing Stamp
• Digital Flashlight/Alarm Clock
• Slim Sonic Toothbrush
• Crazy Creek Orginal Chair
• Stick-On Name Labels
• Camelbak Chute .75L Water Bottle
• The Summer Camp Handbook
• Floor Mat – Hello Summer

As you can see, we’re not messing around! The Happy Camper has always been our #1 product and, typically found for $179.99, you can get it for free if you’re a winner and it’s still available! Of course, the Wheel Away System is on the list because they’re the easiest accessory and work wonders in transportation. And wheels work on every trunk! The Pop Up Soft Trunk is the best alternative to a metal trunk if you’ve got your eyes set on a container that’s a little more collapsible. If you win, it could be yours!

So check back in with us on Monday when I’ll provide a quick link for our Facebook post. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John

Hey, Camp Fans!

We were elated to receive over 30 entries for our ‘Share Your Camp Story’ Contest here at Everything Summer Camp. We’re super eager to share with all our readers by publishing each one of the submissions right here on the Blog! There were seven lucky winners to our contest and everyone else who submitted received a $15 gift certificate to our website! Today’s post is from Ailey W., who wrote in to tell us about her first two-week camp stay at Camp Mystic.

“This Summer I went to camp at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas. It was my first time to go to a two week long camp. For my birthday I got a beautiful, new trunk from Everything Summer Camp Store. When I got to camp there was no air conditioning. The camp had two tribes called Tonkawas & Kiowas. I drew out of a hat to pick my tribe and I got Tonkawa. I got to pick five activities and I chose Camp Craft, Archery, Fishing, Swimming & Horseback Riding. My favorite was Fishing. On the first day I caught a Bass and on the second day I caught a small fish. One day I even caught a seven pound catfish, but it broke the line. Another thing I enjoyed was watching a movie one rainy night. We watched Shark Boy & Lava Girl. It was so good but I didn’t get to see all of the movie so I was disappointed but I am fine with it now. Thank you Everything Summer Camp store for getting me ready for camp!”

Glad to hear you had so much fun at Camp Mystic Ailey! Sounds like you’re pretty good at fishing. I’m sure you’ll be telling the tale of the catfish who got away for years from now. Camp certainly is a great time! Check out Camp Mystic to see if it might be a good match for you. And, as always, thanks for reading!

- John